strand



(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. P. STRAND.

ELECTRICAL ORGAN.

Patented June 28, 1892.

TN: cams Pneus co., mo'rcnnmo., wAsHmuwN, n. c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-'Sheet 2.. R. P. STRAND.

BLBGTMQAL ORGAN. No. 478,032. Patented June 28, 1892.

Svi/Denken.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

R. P. STRAND.

ELECTRICAL ORGAN.

No. 478,032. Patented June 28, 1892.

f E E- f No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

R.P.S.TRAND. ELECTRICAL ORGAN.

No. 478,032. L Patented June 28, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD PEROY STRAND, OF ST. JOHN, CANADA.

ELECTRICAL ORGAN.

SPECIFICATION'formng part of Letters Patent Na-178,032, dated June 28,1892.

Serial No. 426,119. (No model.)

To au whom, ztmay concern,.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD PERCY STRAND, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, residing at St. John, in the county of St. John andProvince of New Brunswick, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Electrical Organs 5 andI do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to an improved electrical organ whereby through theaction of an electric circuit produced by actuating a key electricallyconnected to an electro-magnetattracting an armature adapted to operatethrough a lever the valve the instrument is operated or played, andwhereby the desired keys or manuals, where more than one bank of keys ormanuals is employed, may be readily electrically coupled by theactuation of electricallyconnected appliances, all substantially ashereinafter more fully disclosed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a broken transverse sectionalelevation of my electrical organ. Figs. 2 and 3 are broken verticalsections thereof looking in reverse directions, and Fig. et is a brokenhorizontal section of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view ofthe circuit-closer for the organ-action. Fig. G is a similar view of thecircuit-closer or coupler for the manuals or keys. Fig. 7 isadiagrammat-ic view of my invention.

In the embodiment of my invention I employ a series of circuit-closets AAA, one for each of the slides or plugs B of the coupler of the keys ormanuals of the instrument. These circuit-closers consist each of arockbar A', approximately semi-cylindrical or segmental incross-section, and axially pivoted or hungby short end gudgeons orpivots a in suitable bearings or supports c', secured upon a commonbracket or shelf a2, held or secured upon the inside of the front of theinstrument. These rock-bars are furnished with straps or plates of metalb, though wholl y encompassing them, yet they need only be applied tothe convex surface of said rockbars. These rock-bars are suitablyconnected to the slides or plugsv B B by right-angled links or rods c,

whose lower ends are secured or iixed in the upper flat sides ofsaidrock-bars, while their upper ends are let into and turn intransverse apertures in said slides or plugs.

C C are two series or sets of springs, consisting preferably of flatmetal straps or plates c', the lower set or series C being secured uponthe horizontal portion of the shelf or bracket a2 and having upwardlycurved or bowed portions or otherwise adapted to provide for theirnormal engagement with the metal-covered convex portions of the roekbarsA of the circuit-closers A. The upper set or series of springs or platesO are secured or fastened at their upper ends to the vertical portion ofthe shelf or bracket a2 and are provided with downward and rearwardinclined end portions standing normally slightly away from themetal-covered ilat portions of the rock-bars A', but adapted to haveengagement or contact with said metal-covered flat portions of saidrock-bars when the slides or plugs B are pulled outward.

C2 C2 refer to a second series of circuitclosers, one for each key ofthe row or bank of spring-pressed keys or manuals D, and ar-A rangedadjaeently thereto. The circuit-closers consist each of a horizontal baror arm d, fast to and projecting from the inside of the front of theinstrument and having upturned free or inner ends or shoulders dthereat, upon which inward extensions c of the keys or manuals Dnormally rest. These key-extensions e are furnished at their inner freeends with metal strips or plates f, adapted as the keys or manuals B I3are depressed or actuated Aby the player to engage pendent metal stripsor plates g, two secured to the inner free ends of the two upper bars orarms d and one secured to the shelf or bracket a2 above.

E E are electro-magnets suitably supported upon brackets or shelves 7L,secured to the inside of the back of the instrument, and adjacent to theupper end of said magnets are the armature-levers E', pivoted at theirside edges to said brackets and having their arms connected by wires orrods fi to the valves or pallets of the organ-action.

The two series of circuit-closers and the electro-magnets are includedin electric circuits comprising a storage or primary battery IOO F andseries or groups of wires G G G2 G3 Gx and the binding-postsj and theirwires G4 G5.

II is the pedal, normally standing out of contact with a series of metalplates or springs 7i; 7c, of which three are the terminals of a group ofthree wires G3, extending from the three upper springs C of theleft-hand three of the series of cireuit-elosers A of the coupler, andto the pedal is connected one of the binding-post Wires G4, and withthis wire is connected the group of three wires G2, connecting with thekeys D. The group of wires G connect the springs C of the right-handthree of the series of circuit-closers A with the upper two of thekey-supports or arms d d and with the group of two connected wires G',said wires G connecting with the right-hand two of the upper series ofsprings C and with a single wire G5, leading to an end magnet E andintermediately suspended for convenience from a pin or projection on theend valve-box. The group 0r series of two wires GX connect with theleft-hand two of the lower series of springs C, and,like two of thegroup of wires G, also connect with the upper two key-supports d d, andwith the group of Wires G connect wires G", leading to theiutermediateelectro-magnets E, while the remaining end magnet E is connected by awire G" to the fourth one of the springs 7a, adapted tobe engaged, asabove stated, by the pedal H. The wires G and G", like the wire G5, areintcrmediately suspended, for convenience, from pins or projections onopposite valve-boxes.

In the event of the employment of a motor for blowing or actuating thebellows an electrical generator could be belted thereto and the currentthus be obtained. The circuit may be also produced by a direct currentof low voltage.

Among other advantages of my invention it is observed that an absolutelyeven touch is obtained, and that the touch is no heavier when all themanuals or keys are coupled than that ol' any single manual. The actionis perfectly noiseless and will always remain so, whereas a mechanicalaction, even if perfectly noiseless at the outset; or when new, willbecome very noisy after a few years use. No ciphering fromaction-stickingis experienced. The depth of touch remains the same underall variations of temperature.

All other so-called electric actions are electro pneumatic, and the partthat the electric portion figures is simply to open a small valve andadmit air under very high pressure. This requires the construction of avery intricate and expensive action iu addition.

No mercury-cups are used for contacts,

which collect dust and soon become unreliable, all the contacts beingfrictional and consequently keep themselves bright and may always bedepended on.

The keyboards may be placed at any distance from the organ. This isalways desirable, but rarely practicable on account of the great expenseinvolved.

The instrument is exceedingly simple in construction, consequently notso easily got.- ten out of order as complicated instruments of the kind,and is less expensive.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with an electro-magnet and an armature-lever adaptedto actuate the valve or pallet, of a key having an inward extension anda fixed arm or bar adapted to rest upon said arm or bar, and anelectrical connection between said parts, substantially as set forth. A

2. The combination, with the keys, of an electric coupler therefor,comprising roekbars and means for actuating said rock-bars, and electricconnections between said coupler and the keys, substantially as and forthe purpose specilied.

3. The combination, with the keys, of an electric coupler therefor,comprising rockbars and means for actuating said rock-bars, the seriesof springs having metal contact with said rock-bars, and the groups ofwires between said parts and the electro-magnets and battery, with thearmature-levers adapted to aetuate the valves or pallets, substantiallyas set forth.

t. The combination of the keys having inwardly-extended portions, thefixed arms orA bars and bracket having metal contact with the latter,the electro-magnets and the armature-levers connected tothe pallets orvalves, and the electric connections between said key extensions, saidarms or bars, and the electromagnets, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the electrically-connected keys, the electriccoupler therefor, the electro magnets, the armature -levers connected tothe pallets or valves, the series of springs or plates having electricconnection with said coupler, the pedal adapted to have contact withsaid springs or plates, and the electric connections between said keys,con pler, and electro-magnets, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD PERCY STRAND.

Witnesses:

C. A. STocKToN, J. J. PORTER.

IOO

